The History of Cadiz

In the 15th century, its role as a port city reached its height. On 24 September 1493, Christopher Columbus set sail from Cadiz on his second journey in the discovery of America. It is also during the 15th century that Felipe II ordered that walls be built to surround the city. This was after Cadiz suffered attacks from the British. In 1812, the first Liberal Constitution was drafted and proclaimed in Cadiz. It established the principles of universal male suffrage, national sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, freedom of press, land reform and free enterprise

Visiting the Our Lady of the Palm church and taking communion during a school mass felt special.

Whether the story is true or not – ‘It never hurts to believe’.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rebuilding of most of the monuments of Cadiz. Some of the 18th century walls such as the Landward Gate still stand. Most of the major attractions are found in the old central quarter such as the Cathedral, Santa Cruz, Santa Antonio and San Felipe Nery churches.

The Ancient Watchtowers of Cadiz

Cadiz is famous for its ‘Watchtowers’. In the 18th century, there were 160 towers from which local merchants could look out to sea in, for arriving merchant ships. Today, there are approximately 129 preserved towers of different architectural styles, heights and sizes remaining.

The Torre Tavira is the tallest tower and has a camera obscura room that visitors can view the old city on a concave disc. If you’ve never seen a camera obscura demonstration, it is cool, and I’d highly recommend it.

Ascend to one of the 129 watchtowers, the Tavira Tower, the highest point in the old part of the town and experience the Camera Obscura

The Cadiz Lifestyle

Many houses in Cadiz are long and white; the cobbled stone streets unwind into small squares where local meet to chat and drink. Coffee is as popular in Spain as in Italy. Coffee time is anytime, and the pastime of drinking coffee is an important part of the Spanish culture. Drinking beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks with tapas is an everyday occurrence too. Although, it appears that people are drinking earlier in the day than us (Australians), I haven’t seen any drunken behaviour in Spain.

The Views Of Cadiz

Roman Arena Discovered in 1980

In 1980, an ancient structure was discovered under the El Pópulo district in Cadiz. The roman amphitheatre and theatre which was built in the 1st century BC is the largest ever built in the roman empire. The structure has only been partly excavated and believed to have been abandoned in the 4th century and around the 13th century, a fortress was built on the ruins by the order of King of Castile Alfonso X. The digs have so far unearthed part of the theatre with a horseshoe auditorium with tiered seating made from natural rock.

The stage and portico have not been unearthed and these ruins remain hidden under the El Pópulo neighbourhood waiting to be discovered. Entry is 8euro per adult.

Miracle In Cadiz

As the waters from the Atlantic Sea engulfed the lower town and harbour, the people of Cadiz were terrified and began to pray. The townspeople were at the point of abandoning the city when two unidentified men urged the people to go to the Church of Our Lady of the Palm where a mass was in progress.

After mass, the priest took a banner of Our Lady out in the street where the wall of water was advancing the city. He erected the banner in the street, facing the water he called out ‘Thus far, my Mother’.

Visiting the Our Lady of the Palm church and taking communion during a school mass felt special.

Whether the story is true or not – ‘It never hurts to believe’.

Cadiz is not as popular as other cities like Malaga but it is definetely worthy of a day trip.